Team of the week

IT WAS the week of the big forwards in round two, with Josh Kennedy (10 goals), Jarrad Waite (seven) and Josh Bruce (six) all kicking bags to help their teams win.

It was also a round when Fremantle showed off the full extent of its fearsome midfield, with Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Stephen Hill and Michael Barlow demanding spots in the Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels.

With Michael Johnson in a back pocket, the Dockers have five players in this week's team after they reminded the competition they won't be going anywhere.

Backs

ALEX RANCE (Richmond) - The key defender kept opponent Tom Boyd to just four possessions and racked up 28 himself, becoming an attacking force for the Tigers. Took 13 marks and used the ball supremely, eliminating the 'Alex Rance moments', that used the creep into his game.

MICHAEL HURLEY (Essendon) - Was outstanding defensively in his match-up with Jarryd Roughead, keeping the star Hawk to one goal. Offensively he added plenty, with a team-high seven inside 50s.

MICHAEL JOHNSON (Fremantle) - Gave away height and strength to opponent Tom Hawkins, but was able to restrict him to two goals. He has stepped up in a shutdown role with Zac Dawson and Alex Silvagni sidelined.

Half-backs

SAM FISHER (St Kilda) - Wound back the clock in his 200th game, with 24 possessions, eight marks and six rebound 50s, using the ball with precision. Showing the benefits of one of his best pre-seasons.

CALE HOOKER (Essendon)- The key defender was the hero on Sunday, pushing forward and kicking the match-winning goal against Hawthorn. Earns his spot based on an outstanding performance down back alongside Hurley, finishing with 23 possessions and 10 marks.

BRODIE SMITH (Adelaide) - A supreme kicking performance from the classy half-back, who pushed up the ground to have eight inside 50s. His day unfortunately ended with concussion early in the fourth quarter, but he was still best on ground.

Centres

NAT FYFE (Fremantle)- A complete performance from the superstar Docker, who won 25 of his 36 possessions in contests. Took contested marks, burst through congestion to kick goals and used the ball at 80.6 per cent efficiency. Unstoppable in the last quarter.

DAVID ARMITAGE (St Kilda) - Needed to go to another level after the retirement of Lenny Hayes and has. The new rock in St Kilda's midfield, he had a team-high seven clearances and 36 possessions (19 contested).

MARCUS BONTEMPELLI (Western Bulldogs) - The 19-year-old leads the AFL for tackles after two rounds with a total of 20, setting the standard in a young Bulldogs' midfield. Had 27 possessions and eight inside 50s.

Half-forwards

DYLAN SHIEL (GWS) - The young Giant has started the season in superb form and earns a spot across half-forward based on his ability to push into attack and kick three goals against Melbourne, including a gut-running gem on the run from 50m.

JARRAD WAITE (North Melbourne)- The former Blue led and marked with authority against the Lions, kicking 7.1 and taking 12 grabs (six inside 50). A big improvement on round one.

STEPHEN HILL (Fremantle) - Has to be squeezed onto a half-forward flank, given the strength of this week's midfield. Kicked two goals and had 10 inside 50s, the second highest of the round behind Jake Melksham (12).

Forwards

LANCE FRANKLIN (Sydney Swans)- Kicked three goals, including a left-foot dribbler off the ground from the pocket. But it was his defensive pressure that cements his spot in a forward pocket, leading the way with eight tackles.

JOSH KENNEDY (West Coast) - The forward of the round without doubt, Kennedy kicked 10.1 against his former club and took a round-high seven marks inside 50. It was the third time Kennedy had kicked 10 goals or more in a match.

JOSH BRUCE (St Kilda) - The surprise performance of the round, Bruce was a star and kicked six goals against Gold Coast. Was brilliant in the air, taking six contested marks and helping out in the ruck.

Followers

TODD GOLDSTEIN (North Melbourne) - The standout in a strong round for ruckmen, Goldstein dominated the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, finishing with 37 hit-outs against two opponents. His ground level work was excellent and he finished it all off with a goal.

JOSH KENNEDY (Sydney Swans) - The hard-nosed Swan was supreme at the coalface against the Power, racking up 36 possessions (18 contested). His clearances (11) and centre clearances (six) ranked equal No.1 across the round.

DAVID MUNDY (Fremantle) - Had an AFL-high 39 possessions against Geelong as part of a dominant Freo midfield. A star in the first half and laid nine tackles.



SHANE MUMFORD (GWS) - Needs to get into the team as a second ruckman following his best game for GWS. Complements his taps with clearances (five) and tackles (seven) giving him the edge over Aaron Sandilands and Sam Jacobs.

STEPHEN CONIGLIO (GWS) - Brilliant defensively on Nathan Jones (restricted to 11 possessions), he was also a major ball-winner, with 26 possessions and two goals. Tackled hard in a tough performance.

RORY SLOANE (Adelaide) - The midfielder had a team-high 30 possessions and nine clearances against the Magpies, getting the ball free for his teammates on the outside. Hard to fault in the first two rounds.

MICHAEL BARLOW (Fremantle) - Hard to believe he was the fourth best midfielder for Fremantle with 31 disposals and 13 marks. Used the ball efficiently and pushed forward to kick three goals.

• Check out how fans voted on previous teams of the week
• Nine things we learned from round two
• After the siren: When the fortress falls, where to for the Cats?